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How to: Pack for a Holiday

Recently I’ve been posting little snaps of the contents of my suitcase whenever I have gone away for a trip, and have got quite a few emails from people asking me if I could share my packing tips. There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination only to realize you don’t have the right clothes, or worse still, your clothes don’t go well together. Having lived in London and travelling with budget airlines like Easyjet, you become quite good at packing lightly so as not to get stung by the massive checked in baggage fees. You basically want to create a small yet versatile capsule wardrobe that will fit in your carry on. Sounds impossible you say? Not in the slightest.

This one is obvious, you want to know what type of clothes you’ll need. Obviously you need more clothes for travel to colder destinations. Add jackets, tights, hats and boots as required. Its also useful to do a Google search and check whether your destination will be a place you can wear skimpier outfits or somewhere you should be covered up. There’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere and feeling like the unfortunate centre of attention. When in doubt, always take a few conservative pieces just in case and check out what the women are wearing when you arrive.

Step 2. Gather Your Basics

Without fail I always take the following things with me – breton style nautical top, black and white singlets/tees, khaki hooded cotton jacket, leather shorts, denim jeans, one LBD (black bodycon number usually works well) and a white silk collared shirt. As in every day life, good basics are the foundation of a versatile travel wardrobe.

Step 3. Add key colour items

Choose a colour palette for a few additional pieces. This reduces the likelihood of having mismatched outfits. Depending on what I have in my wardrobe I usually add a maxi skirt (great for travelling), long sleeved shirt, a few mini skirts and a pair of shorts in my chosen colour palette. You can of course choose a couple of colours for your palette, just try to make sure they are all compatible.

Step 4. Rationalise your shoes

Shoes are the most bulky part of your luggage and if you can restrict the number of shoes you take with you, life will be much easier. But you don’t want to feel like you lack shoes either – I usually take one pair of classic black patent heels (maybe a second pair if I am going somewhere dressy like New York or Paris), a pair of ballet flats, ankle boots, a pair of comfortable shoes like converse or plimsols and a pair of gladiator sandals. Thats conservative and still 5+ pairs of shoes… eeep!

Step 5. Complete with Accessories

I usually take a few nice statement pieces of jewelry which I can throw on in the evening to feel a little bit more dressed up, such as a pair of tassel earrings or a gold coin necklace. My Asos floppy fedora always comes on holidays with me, I also almost always take a bag with a long shoulder strap so it can be worn cross body, so I can relax when wandering around busy train stations and streets.

Other tips?
Do a layout – when packing make sure to lay everything out on your bed so that you can visualize the outfits and how they will go together. This has been the one single factor that has helped me to create better holiday wardrobes.

Cosmetics and Beauty – I don’t own much make up and my beauty inventory usually consists of bronzer or blush, a good moisturizer and cleanser and maybe some mascara if I’m feeling adventurous. I do however often take my hair straightener for city breaks (but not beach breaks), knowing that most hotels will have a hair dryer.

Other key things to take? A good book (Man Booker prize winners usually ticks the right boxes), ear plugs and an eye mask, a notebook for writing down ideas/travel stories, a good camera, and a great attitude. Oh and finally, make sure to roll your clothes up tightly so all of the above can fit in your carry on.

Rolling clothes and picking just a few statement accessories (rather than a heavy satchel of jewelry) are the two things that have transformed my approach to hand-luggage only mini breaks, for the better.

I’m also pleasantly surprised to hear a fashion-wise blogger such as yourself doesn’t wear much make up (I’m a tinted moisturiser/mascara only kind of girl). I will always sacrifice make up space for an extra pair of shoes or extra top…

This is really great!(: I loved that for Step 1; you’ve included the culture bit! Nothing worse than arriving at a destination and offending/insulting everybody! Would definitely be using your tips for my trip this summer! xx

Great tips!! Am planning a trip to HK for the autumn. If I pack light I can bring loads of stuff back!! Haha! Also where is the black patent clutch in the picture from? I have been looking for one like that for a while.

I always have trouble packing my bags for travel and recently I’ve been paying more attention to what was left unworn during the trip and using that as a way to learn what works and what doesn’t. Each subsequent trip involves a few less ‘left over’ pieces. Will definitely keep your tips in mind and hopefully avoid having ANY leftovers. 😉

Thanks for all your lovely comments guys, I am so so glad this is useful for you. I hope that all the people who emailed/commented in the past about wanting packing tips also found this helpful.

@bird in the bush – Thanks for your comment honey, I guess everyone becomes quite good at packing after living in London haha. Those airports are a nightmare. Am completely useless at applying make up so have just given up. Not wearing eye make up is so great because you never have to take it off! Or have panda eyes.

@kit – I can imagine w all your travel you must be a good packer, would love to hear about your cosmetics collection one day.

@Lindsaywalk in closet – hahaha I love to hear about this process of packing better, I was travelling a lot and barely wearing anything I took other than my basics so I kind of did the same thing too!

I feel like this new post is the universe giving me some good karma. I have been looking at your blog for a while now specfically because I’ve been trying to figure out how to pack for my trip to Peru this summer. I’m going for a month and I’m only bringing a carry-on. The universe works in such strange ways! I love it! Thanks for the post! Namaste!

I am travelling to the US/Canada in December with my family, including our first white Christmas. Coming from Australia we are not used to the snow/cold. I would love some tips on stylish cold weather dressing that doesn’t take up too much space.ThanksAnnette

Love this! Such great advice. I’m packing right now and I’m using this guide to avoid over packing.

Anonymous

Thank you for the sensible opinion. Me & my neighbour were preparing to do some analysis about that. We got a great book on that matter from our local library and most books are not as informative as your site. I am very glad to detect such information which I have been searching for a long time. 🙂

Very good! 🙂 Thanks for this! I need to print it and post it next to my closet. I’ve already done your Wardrobe Rehab… WHAT a difference! It’s so easy for me to pick out something to wear–just need to add a few more gray and white tees to my basics and I’m all set. Your hot pink has inspired me though… I’m going to need a few hot pink accessories now. 😀

Please never give up blogging… I found your blog through another blog, landed on that Jill Sanders hot pink skirt and bookmarked it immediately. This blog is always well-done and fun! Thanks!!

Choosing the right outfit to put on my package made easy with the help of this packing guide.

Anonymous

Another good tip is to invest in a Kindle reader. That way you don’t have to pack books. It’s super light and compact. You can d/l as many books as you want. Highly recommended for travel and everyday.

These are great tips. I love your idea about the color palette because I always end up overpacking because this one green top doesn’t go with that skirt, etc. Color palette is a good way to make sure that you can mix and match!

What if you are going go to two regions that have opposite climates? Offer any tips on that? I am going to the mediterranean area in march and then I am going to asia (the cold parts of Asia) right afterwards. No luxury in coming back ho!e! The temp highs will be about 30 degrees F. I will definitely work on layering but I will have to stash a wool winter coat somewhere!

I love these guides! I travel frequently and I want to be more fashion conscious while traveling (I used to just throw in like 10 shirts and four pairs of jeans and two sweaters) and I’m realizing it takes a lot of foresight to keep looking good while traveling, which is why basics are so important!

I’m going to really cold areas this winter, and I was wondering if you have any tips on packing for the cold? It’s easy to pack for warm places: your clothes don’t take up a lot of bulk. But I want to be able to mix and match coats and hats and scarves and such! Help!

Julieta Bor

sorry but the pictured items would never fit in the easyjet or ryanair carry on.
Other than this, useful method, thanks